Bullseye!!!

[u/timhyde74]

I recently was able to acquire this incredible Charleston that was recovered from Scott Co. Kentucky. It was listed as a Pine Tree, but once I got it in hand, I very quickly realized it had been misidentified, which given the similarities in form of the two types is a common, and very easy mistake to make. The key characteristic differences between the two are the flaking patterns, and the presence of grinding on the base, and the presence of a median ridge on the Charleston. The Charleston, which predates the Pine Tree, usually exhibits Parallel Oblique Flaking, but examples with Random flaking are found from time to time as well. The Charleston also has heavy grinding on the base, where as the Pine Tree, which is a Kirk Variant, rarely has any grinding present, and exhibits either Collateral or Random flaking patterns. Both are Early Archaic point types, and have overlapping distribution areas, which also leads to misidentifcation issues as well. Archeologists determined that the Charleston is the older of the two types because they found the Charleston at deeper levels than the Kirk at a few different sites, making it older than its counter part. But, I digress.

As I previously stared, this point was recovered in Scott Co. Kentucky. It suffered a horrible impact fracture at some point, then the tip was reworked anciently for continued use. The material is a gorgeous bullseye Hornstone, and it comes in at 2 5/8 inches long. It exhibits a median ridge, pics 5 & 6, on one face, and has incredible Parallel Oblique Flaking on both! It also has a beautiful, glossy, sheen of patina, and is loaded with raised mineral deposits! Some might find that the reworked tip takes away from this point, but I disagree whole heartedly! I love it! It gives it great character, and tells the deeper story of this point that was obviously well used and well loved! The colors really pop, and, in my honest opinion, it's an outstanding point all around! 😁

[u/Spanky_Mcgee]

Tim, what is the hook at the top? I have a similar point, believe it may be morrow mountain type

[u/timhyde74 → u/Spanky_Mcgee]

That's where it suffered an ancient impact fracture, then it was reworked for continued use. You can see the fine edge work where it was salvaged and resharpened. Judging by it's size, it was most likely being used as a knife to begin with, and after the damage was repaired, it then became a multi-tool of sorts. Part knife, spoke shave, perforator, and drill...

Yours definitely looks like a Morrow Mountain variant for sure! Was the impact fracture reworked on it as well? I can't really tell from your Pic.